•CBTp aims to help patients to identify irrational thoughts and challenge them (including the origin of ‘voices’) and reality testing them to reduce distress.•It usually takes place for 5-20 sessions, with NICE recommending at least 16 sessions.•CBTp uses the ABCDE model. It involves identifying activating events (A) and the resulting beliefs (B) from these events that appear to cause their emotional and behavioural consequences (C). These beliefs can then be rationalised, disputed (D) and changed through critical collaborative analysis, leading to the effect (E) of restructured beliefs.
